18 replies so far

I just recently added multiple 110v and 220V circuits in my 2 car garage shop. I was lucky in that the my panel for the house was 200amp and I had enough room to add the circuits I wanted. The panel is also located on an exterior wall in the garage which made things even easier.

The work is not the hard part, it the planning that will take more time. Make sure that you look at the amp draw of you machines, especially ones that will be running at the same time, i.e. table saw and dust collector> If they are both 220V they should be on seperate circuits. Also, wire your lighting on a separate circuit so that if you do trip a breaker you are not plunged into darkness, could be dangerous if you are at the table saw.

I would also make sure that you size the wiring appropriately. If you are not sure there are multiple wiring books available.

I did make a mistake and wired the circuit for my air compressor too small. I put in a 20amp and should have gone with 30, my mistake and I will have to live with it. The lighting is on 2 dedicated curcuits, 15 amp. the misc wall outlets are all 20amp and I have 2 220v 20amp for table saw and dust collector. I also placed all the outlets 48” above the floor, that way I can lean a 4×8 plywood sheet against a wall and still have access to power.

If you are having to tear into finished walls, drywall etc. It would a good idea to run wiring for future machine purchases. Like I said earlier planning is the hardest part of the process.

Good luck…..Ken

-- My job is to give my kids things to discuss with their therapist....medic20447@gmail.com

As MedicKen has stated, its not a tough job. I just recently ran two extra 220 lines in my shop, one for a new jointer and another cause I did not want to get back in the attic again! But I have been wiring for many years and I will say if you have never done it, I would say stay out of the box. Its worth you time finding someone who knows what they are doing if you have doubts. Getting hit with 110 sucks, but getting hit with 220 is pretty much forever. Be careful.

Jeff has given great advice. If one is not familiar with the National Electric Code and local codes as well, then it would be wise to engage the services of a licensed electrician. Every year substand electrical work causes many deaths, injuries, and property loss.

You ask how much trouble it would be, well it’s hard to say. Is your shop attached to the house ? Or is it a seperate building ? After that it depends on how many circuits and outlets you want. I would suggest that you call a local licensed electricial contractor if you want a bid and the work done, they know what the code is in your area and will be able to actually see whats doable. This is not a doit yourself prodject Charles, and I strongly advise that you DO NOT attempt to do it yourself in anyway. If you do so, your putting your own life in jeapardy and anyone else that enters your shop.

I laugh every time one of these threads starts up. I rewired my entire house to eliminate old knob and tube wiring and then proceeded to live in it for 20 years. I did look up local codes and I do know electricity, but wiring is not some arcane art.

The web is full of decent wiring guides, local codes are, by law, freely available and, if you can handle woodworking without losing any fingers, then you can wire your shop without burning it down.

Work a deal with the pro. You do all the physical work and he does the brain work. Its amazing how much you can learn and gain the confidence to to tackle other projects. This is a great learning experience for you.

-- Bill - If I knew GRANDKIDS were so much fun I would have had them first.